Dear Reader,
I am hoping to update again soon. I also hope you enjoy this update. Remember, it's your reviews that keep me motivated! Please continue to review!
-LunarLitLover
Preview for next time: Grindelwald is furious when his demands are refused
Recap: Minerva and Albus are together, despite the illegality of their teacher-student relationship, and Grindelwald has made his demands to the Ministry
Chapter 14: Eavesdropping
"Albus!" Minerva stormed into Albus's office in a rage, "Have you seen this!"
"Minerva, calm down. Shouting at me won't do any good," he responded, dropping his papers on his desk.
Her temper subsided immediately. "Oh, I'm sorry, Albus. I must have got ahead of myself."
It was Monday, their lesson day for the week. They had been continuing Minerva's transfiguration lessons as usual since the ball, yet it had become increasingly more difficult to concentrate for both parties as the lessons progressed. They had spent more time each lesson snogging and less time actually performing magic. Although to both Minerva and Albus, snogging was magical in its own right. Yet despite this…distraction…Minerva was rapidly progressing with her transfiguration abilities. And because of this success neither party even considered revising their lesson plans.
So, needless to say, Albus had expected to see Minerva today for their lesson. But he had not expected her to come barging in like this.
"So, Minerva, what is it?" Albus asked, as he drew up chairs for the both of them.
Minerva sat down abruptly and harshly with a sigh. She was clearly exhausted. Albus noticed this and quickly transfigured his water glass into a mug full of steaming hot tea.
"Drink this, Minerva, and tell me what's bothering you."
"Thank you, Albus," she took a large sip from the warm cup. "Look at this." Minerva took the paper in her hand and gave it to Albus.
It was today's copy of the Daily Prophet. And on the front page, in bold, black letters was printed:
GRINDELWALD'S DEMANDS LEFT ON MINISTRY WALL
Albus immediately began to read the story directly under it:
This morning the members of the Ministry of Magic came to work to find an unexpected surprise. Printed on their wall were several demands of the political nature (full list on page 3) detailing how our government is to be run.
Needless to say, these demands have caused a great deal of uproar at the Ministry. First and foremost in everyone's minds is who the culprit is. This is unmistakably clear, based on the emblem of black blood and a wrinkled skull that is posted under the demands. Yes, it is the murderous wizard Grindelwald, who is responsible for this heinous deed. He has, after all these horrible raids on honest businwizards, dared to go farther.
Minister of Magic, Charles Reese was available for brief comment earlier today: "This preposterous behavior will not be tolerated, by the wizarding community of Great Britain. We will be severely increasing security here at the Ministry and in commercial shops that are targets. We will also be working diligently here at the Ministry to discover the true identity of this Grindelwald and to put an end to his ridiculous protest. We will not, however, negotiate with terrorwizards under any circumstances, and his demands will not be answered in any manner what so ever."
However, some believe that Grindelwald's power and revolt will be difficult to break. A free-lance auror, Harold Potter, was available for comment today: "Grindelwald has been terrorizing the community for a few months now and the Ministry has not been at all effective in ending this. All of their efforts to stop him have failed miserably. What makes you think this one will do any differently? This Grindelwald obviously has power, even if the Ministry doesn't see it. I'm sure he has many wizard supporters as well as goblin ones, based on his demands. Also, I'm quite certain that he has some great force to back him; he wouldn't have been able to make these demands otherwise. Grave times are ahead."
Accurate information is difficult to come by in this frenzy, but the Daily Prophet will keep you posted.
Upon completing the main article, Albus flipped to page three to read through the list of demands. He decided to read them aloud:
"Ministry under leadership of Reese corrupt and biased…must be changed for good of all…equal rights desired for all wizards and goblins…demand 1: all half bloods who've lost their jobs reinstated…2: new minister appointed by popular vote of three candidates of our choice…3: pureblood business owners prosecuted for injustices against half bloods…4: removal of certain pureblood business owners and ones in government positions…5: head treasurer position given to a goblin of our choice…6: six spots on the Ministry Trade Board vacated for goblin officials…7: requirement that 50 of business must pass through half blood hands…8: 25 of business must pass through goblin hands…9: tax added to most pureblood businesses…10: removal of several anti-goblin laws…11: removal of all anti-half blood laws…12: clemency for us and all of our supporters…if demands ignored, we will use force…Ministry has no choice…better to agree now than live through disastrous consequences…last chance and warning…will be seeing soon…signed Grindelwald and Supporters with his wrinkled skull and black blood emblem."
Albus looked up at Minerva. She nodded knowingly. "Can you believe it?"
"I don't know what to think," he responded honestly. "I never thought it would come to this."
"I just saw it a few minutes ago. Most are laughing it off, but I think it's extremely serious," Minerva admitted.
"I agree. I can't believe we haven't heard about this until now."
Minerva nodded again, "I know. It's much farther than I ever thought Grindelwald would come. At first, I agreed with his ideals of a free and equal society, but he's going at them the wrong way. Instead of peacefully trying to abolish wrongs, he's violently forcing the removal of one prejudice and replacing it with another."
"His actions do seem a bit…rash…but I don't know if there's any other way for him to accomplish his goals."
Minerva's eyes sprang to fiery life, "You agree with him!"
"I never said that. It's just I understand his motives. He wants things to be different…better and believes this is the only way to do it."
"Albus, I'm glad we're here at Hogwarts and away from the majority of this chaos."
"I don't know if we've escaped it all, Minerva."
"Maybe you're right," Minerva conceded. "But Albus, I'm tired. I really don't feel like talking about this any more."
"Very well," he said, rising to his feet. "Shall we get on with the lesson, then?"
Minerva groaned but also got to her feet. "Well, I suppose."
But after a few minutes of attempting to transform the chair into an insect and getting nothing instead, it was clear that Minerva was too tired for transfiguration as well as politics.
"Minerva, stop," Albus said after her third try. "Here, this might help."
He sat her down on an empty stool and began massaging her shoulders. His touch was both gentle and rough, the perfect remedy for her body taxed by the day. He caressed her shoulders and neck first before moving her hands down her back. He hit a particularly stressed nerve and Minerva let out a low moan. He began to press harder and faster, attempting to relieve the knots in her body. She sat there in both extreme comfort and pain as he again moved up her back to her shoulders. Albus rubbed them a bit more before moving to her neck once more. After a few rubs he placed the finishing touch: A light and tender kiss on her exposed neck. Minerva allowed his lips to linger there for a few moments before she turned to face him. Rising to her feet, Minerva let him bring her in close. He held her tight and kissed her again and again, on her neck, ears, eyes, nose and eventually her mouth.
Albus's kiss went deeper than ever before as his lips encircled hers. Their tongues swirled in and out of each other's mouths in a fiery, passionate dance. His hands clutched the back of her neck and pulled her mouth closer into his. They gasped as they came apart and then immediately returned to each other, unable to resist. As their mouths were occupied, Minerva's hand slid down over Albus's back. Grappling hard to hold him, her nails raked into his back and she pulled him in closer to her. He, too, allowed his hands to search her back for a way to quench his passion. They finally released each other for air; gasping, they breathed deeply yet again. Then Albus's lips claimed Minerva's once more as they mapped out the crevices of each other's mouths.
They pulled apart and kissed again. Yet this kiss was gentler, for both knew it was getting late and nearing Minerva's time to leave. And indeed, at the end of their passionate snog, Minerva pulled away and said, "Goodnight, Albus, it's time I be going."
"Of course, Minerva, of course," Albus replied, lightly kissing her once more. "Goodnight, my kitten, sleep well."
She exited the office and closed the door. Minerva began to walk up the hall, lost in her happy daydreams of Albus, when voices caught her ear. They were coming from the classroom a few doors up the hall. Minerva kept walking, pretending to ignore them when she heard a goblin's voice. Its origin was unmistakable; goblins have a particular drawl and tone that is recognizable anywhere.
Minerva was curious. What is a goblin doing at Hogwarts? She had certainly not forgotten the demands of Grindelwald and his obvious alliance with the goblins. I wonder if this is connected. I'll just stay and listen for a little while.
Minerva, for better or for worse, crept along the corridor until she was just outside the door. She heard the goblin's low drone talking to…
Slughorn! What in bloody hell is he doing with a goblin!
Only then did the events of the night of the ball return to her. She had heard Slughorn converse with a goblin that night as well, but had thought nothing of it at the time. Now, with her new knowledge of Grindelwald's allies, Minerva listened all the closer to the conversation in the other room.
"I did what you asked of me, alright!" Slughorn said urgently. "It's even in the Prophet today! Look!"
There was a rustling of papers, and Minerva heard the goblin say, "Hmmm…well, it seems you have done what we've asked of you. Although, I will expect more if you wish to keep our…agreement…we will act on that part of the bargain soon, though."
"Thank you, thank you," Slughorn responded, obviously relieved. "I can't tell you, what-"
"This conversation is over," the goblin said abruptly.
"But we still have to work out the details of-"
Slughorn was cut off once more. "We are finished for now."
"But why?" Slughorn asked, clearly confused.
"Because there is someone listening outside the door."
Minerva's eyes widened in shock. How in the…? But her senses took a hold of her before she could fully question the situation. She began to sprint up the hallway towards the main part of the school. She had no idea if she'd been seen or if she was being pursued. All she knew was that she continued to run until she reached the Gryffindor common room.
Once she was sure she was safe from danger, she collapsed in an armchair by the fire. That was close…But I wonder what exactly Slughorn was doing with that goblin. It sounded an awful lot like…
Minerva sat up the whole night, pondering the day's strange events.